John D. Colucci was recently named Managing Director of BBA Sponsor Firm McLane Middleton, the first Massachusetts-based Managing Director in the firm’s 105-year history. We caught up with John to learn more about his new role, his advice to new lawyers in Boston, and more. Check out the full interview below:
Boston Bar Association: What inspired you to become a lawyer, and specifically your interest in commercial transactions and business operations?
John Colucci: When I was growing up, the lawyers that I saw on television and in the movies seemed to be really engaged members of the community and never bored. I liked that. Neither one of my parents attended college, and after I graduated from Bentley University with an accounting degree, I promptly went to work as a staff accountant at PWC, but the plan was always to go to law school.
I think that the first time I even met a lawyer was when I started law school. I was always fascinated by business and after becoming a CPA and graduating from law school I became a litigator focusing on business disputes and the defense of white-collar crime. Over the years, I discovered I really enjoyed working with business owners and appreciated their energy and practical approach to life. Slowly, my practice narrowed to focus on corporate law. I’m just like the lawyers I used to see in television and movies – never bored!
BBA: Do you have any particular highlights from your career that you’re especially proud of?
John: My early career highlights involved some trial and appellate success (and losses) while the last few decades have been a bit less dramatic. About 15 years ago, I helped merge seven non-profits focused on affordable housing into a stronger entity, and that organization is now one of the leading providers of affordable housing in Essex County.
Overall, the client matters I view as “wins” typically revolve around helping family business owners to resolve long-running conflicts or assisting business owners with a difficult sale of a business that often represents their life’s work. It’s not the stuff of novels or films, but I derive a lot of satisfaction helping real people reach the goals they have worked so hard to achieve.
BBA: You’re the firm’s first Massachusetts-based Managing Director in its more than 100-year history. What does this mean to you, and what does it say about the firm’s present and future in the Boston area?
John: I think appointing a Massachusetts-based attorney who hasn’t spent his career at the firm says a lot more about the firm and its vision for the future than it says about me. Our culture is a bit unique, as we rarely have a partner leave to join another law firm, and many of our partners have practiced at the firm for decades. For a significant number, it has been their only job since coming out of law school. The fact that I was even considered for this position as a relative newcomer (at 15 years) and from Massachusetts speaks to our culture of inclusiveness. It means a lot to me that they have entrusted me with preserving this legacy.
Greater Boston is a hub of innovation, education and business growth, making it critical to the firm’s long-term strategy of growth. While we have only had Massachusetts offices for 15 years, my selection as Managing Director should be viewed as clear evidence that we consider Massachusetts a great opportunity for growth, and that we intend to remain a leader in the legal industry here.
BBA: What are you focused on as Managing Director, not just in the year to come but over the next several years? What are the priorities for the firm, and what opportunities or hurdles do you foresee?
John: We are currently experiencing significant organic growth. My primary focus will be to retain the culture and core values that have made the firm successful over the past 105 years. This is going to require dedicated focus on ensuring the firm remains a trusted client-focused organization by maintaining high-quality legal services and deepening client relationships. Growth is only possible by attracting, retaining, and developing top legal talent. The well-being of all our colleagues is critical to this effort.
This growth comes with some challenges, and we are continually working to upgrade and expand our current systems and leverage innovation and technology to increase efficiency while maintaining a high level of client service.
Finally, last on this list but not last in priority, and despite the current external headwinds, we remain dedicated to maintaining and promoting an inclusive environment for all our colleagues, which we hope will result in a healthy and diverse workplace.
BBA: How has McLane Middleton’s partnership with the BBA benefited you and your firm, and how can we continue to ensure that partnership remains mutually beneficial?
John: The BBA provides our lawyers with a wide range of networking opportunities, allowing our attorneys to build relationships with other professionals in the Boston legal community. The CLE programs and panels offered by the BBA are second to none. Our attorneys also appreciate the opportunities to participate in leadership roles at the BBA. Currently, the Managing Director of our Boston office, Shiva Karimi, serves as Secretary of the BBA and is a Boston Bar Foundation Trustee. Simply put, there is no better way to connect with other lawyers in the Boston legal community.
BBA: You are an alumnus of one of our partner law schools, Suffolk Law. Do you have any particular highlights from your time there?
John: I went to law school during the evening while working full-time at a law firm, so that period of time is pretty much a blur. However, I do remember how impressed I was, and continue to be, with the quality of the professors. Suffolk Law boasts many of the finest practicing attorneys as professors and they bring practicality and a wealth of experience to the classroom that you don’t find elsewhere. I am a huge fan of Dean Pearlman. Not only do I wish I had half of his energy, but that energy coupled with his strategic thinking has really propelled Suffolk University Law School to a new level.
BBA: What advice do you have for newer lawyers, whether at your firm or more generally, and law students looking to break into the Boston legal community?
John: One thing I didn’t realize at first is how tightknit the Boston community is. It isn’t often that I meet someone, and I don’t have some type of personal connection to them. My advice: Build relationships with colleagues, adversaries, and every person you meet along the way. Some of these relationships will grow very strong over the years and provide significant opportunities. Most importantly, never burn any bridges.
As a new associate, demonstrate initiative. Seek out assignments, ask questions, be curious, and always be willing to go the extra mile. Under-promise and over-deliver. No one has ever complained about receiving an assignment back a day early, but a day late can often have unintended negative consequences for the client.
BBA: If you weren’t a lawyer, what occupation do you think you would have pursued?
John: Although in addition to being a lawyer, I am a CPA, that is not the path I would have pursued. However, like almost every lawyer, I would love to be an author. I wouldn’t want to write courtroom or legal thrillers, but novels about human nature and how we all relate to each other. I truly find that fascinating.
BBA: What is your favorite winter activity to do around the city?
John: It’s not quite the city, but I do like to ski up north in New Hampshire or Maine whenever possible. It’s one of the few things my twenty-something children are still willing to do with me and my wife.
BBA: Is there anything else about your role at McLane Middleton or the firm more generally that you’d like to share?
John: We continue to experience growth both in terms of geographic reach and depth of service. Several of our practice groups, such as our Education Law Practice Group, have national and international reach. We just added the immigration firm GoffWilson, which underscores our commitment to being a trusted partner for business by navigating complex legal and regulatory landscapes. I am very excited about what is ahead as we continue to grow strategically and build on our more than 100 years history of excellence.
